Malthusian Crisis

Definition of Malthusian Crisis

The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meaning of Malthusian Crisis: Refers to the ideas of Thomas Malthus (1766-1834) who argued that while populations grow exponentially the rate of increase in the food supply is much less. This creates a natural limit on populations and produces miserable conditions for society and inevitable mass starvation, unless of course individuals practice birth control. Malthus didn’t advocate contraceptives, rather he advocated reducing sexual intercourse. See: DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION / EXPONENTIAL GROWTH in this legal dictionary and in the world encyclopedia of law.

Malthusian Crisis: Resources

Notes and References

• Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Malthusian Crisis. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada